We are staying in SF in September and wanted to do a day trip to Yosemite. It sounds much better to rent a convertible for the trip vs. taking a group tour. How long is the drive from SF to Yosemite and would be it be difficult to easily find the tourist hot spots? Where could I find complete directions with an itinerary, etc?

My wife is afraid of heights and of curvy roads with drop-offs on the right side. For her, which route would be best to take to Yosemite from the Bay Area (coming east on 580 from Livermore): Highway 120 straight in to Yosemite, or go south on Highway 99 to Merced and take Highway 140 into the park?

I know that Highway 140 is longer, but the road may not be quite as nerve-wracking.

I don't think 140 is any better. I think i'ts worse. There's a steep descent on 140 east of Mariposa as it goes down into the Merced River Canyon. One you're down there, you're OK, but the descent is steeper than anything on 120.

You can head east on 140 to Oakhurst, visit the Mariposa Grove Sequoias and head to the Valley. Then head out on 120, where the right side will be on the inside of the road (120 North).